[Toxic epidermal necrolysis: idiosyncratic reaction to drugs]

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (NET) and Steven Johnson syndrome (SJS) are infrequent mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reactions with systemic involvement. They are predominantly caused by drugs. We report the case of a patient over 60 years of age who presented with extensive mucocutaneous and ophthalmic injury with hemodynamic failure, associated with the rapid onset of lamotrigine in a short period of time. Although the incidence is low, the mortality rate is high. It requires early suspicious and diagnosis in addition to an interdisciplinary therapeutic approach.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome versus Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction in an HIV Positive Patient with Secondary Syphilis

BACKGROUND

HIV positive patients can suffer many complications due to infectious diseases. A sever drug reaction to some of the drugs involved in the treatment can overlap the symptoms of the infections, making the diagnosis very difficult. We present the case of a 28-year-old-man, HIV positive, with secondary syphilis, who developed a Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) caused by one of the many drugs he received. The SJS was overlapped with a possible Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction, which complicated the diagnosis of the skin reaction.

OBJECTIVE

In HIV+ patients, the overlapping of severe drug reactions and infectious diseases could be fatal, thus an accurate diagnosis is mandatory.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A Rapid Plasma Reagin Test (RPR), an ELISA test, a blood laboratory test, chest radiography and a skin biopsy were realized in order to diagnose the infectious disease and the cause of skin lesions. Intradermal tests and double blind challenge tests were realized in the allergy study.

RESULTS

The laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of syphilis; the skin biopsy confirmed the cause of lesions, a severe allergic reaction as a SJS. The allergy study discharged all the drugs involved, except dypirone which wasn't proved in the study because of the severity of reaction, the high possibility to be the causative drug and the alternative of other similar drugs available. For the inflammatory response, HIV+ patients are especially susceptible to severe reaction, both infectious and allergic, as in this case. Thus, recent patents emphasize the interest in inflammatory molecules that cause inflammatory symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the diagnose of SJS has established criteria, the possibility of overlapping with infectious illness and/or with its treatment, may complicate the diagnosis.

Steven Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a burn unit: A 15-year experience

INTRODUCTION

The diffuse epidermal exfoliation seen in Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is similar to skin loss in second degree burns, and many of these patients are referred for treatment at burn centers. Treatment can differ markedly from center to center, and mortality can range from 25% to 70%, including a considerable morbidity. However, our experience over a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015 with 40 patients found a mortality rate of only 10% (4/40). The purpose of this paper is to discuss our treatment algorithm as a model for other centers treating SJS/TENs patients.

METHODS

Records were reviewed for all patients admitted to the LAC+USC burn unit between 2000 and 2015 and 40 patients were identified with biopsy-proven SJS or TENS. These cases were reviewed for age, gender, initial and greatest TBSA, causative drug, pre-existing medical conditions, and morbidity and mortality. All data were entered into the SPSS statistical software package and all statistical analyses were performed using this program.

RESULTS

Our treatment algorithm focused on early referral to a specialty burn unit, immediate discontinuation of the offending drug, fluid resuscitation, nutritional supplementation, and meticulous wound care. Average time to transfer to a burn unit was 3.36 days. Silver-releasing antimicrobial dressings were applied to the affected skin surface and changed every 3 days. Mupirocin coated petroleum gauze was used for facial involvement. Steroids were tapered and discontinued if initiated at an outside facility (58% of patients), and starting after 2001, all patients received a course of IVIG. All patients received fluid resuscitation and the majority received supplemental tube feedings (69%). Average length of total stay was 17.1 days and length of ICU stay 15.9 days. While 44% were transferred to another facility for further rehabilitative care, 37% of patients discharge to home. In patients discharged home with complete resolution of skin lesions, time to healing was an average of 14 days.

DISCUSSION

With our 10% mortality rate in 40 patients, our study represents a relatively large study population while maintaining a relatively low mortality rate. The demographic data from our study largely aligns with the existing literature, and we therefore feel that our low mortality rate is due to our treatment algorithm, rather than to a less severe pathology in our patient population. This claim is supported by a standard mortality ratio of 1.68. This ratio proves a significantly improved mortality than would be expected based on disease severity on admission.